Support member for subsea jumper installation, and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a support member for subsea jumper installation, and methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the device includes a subsea jumper and at least one adjustable support member coupled between portions of the subsea jumper, the adjustable support member comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein a length of the adjustable support member may be adjusted by actuation of at least one hydraulic cylinder. A method of installing a subsea jumper is also disclosed which includes coupling at least one hydraulically adjustable support member between portions of the subsea jumper, lowering the at least one adjustable support member and the subsea jumper into a body of water and operatively coupling the subsea jumper to a plurality of subsea connections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed to the field of subsea oiland gas production, and, more particularly, to a support member forsubsea jumper installation, and methods of using same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Flowline jumpers are used in the field of subsea oil and gas productionto provide fluid communication between two items of subsea equipment.For example, a flowline jumper may be used to connect the productionoutlet of a Christmas tree to the end of a subsea pipeline thatterminates near the Christmas tree. Thus, a flowline jumper usuallycomprises a length of conduit and two fluid couplings or connections,one located at each end of the conduit, which are adapted to mate withcorresponding hubs connected to the subsea equipment. To facilitateinstalling the flowline jumper from a surface vessel, the hubs connectedto the subsea equipment are typically oriented vertically upward and theflowline jumper is constructed so that the conduit and the fluidcouplings lie in a single plane with the fluid couplings oriented in thesame direction. In this manner, the flowline jumper may be loweredvertically from the surface vessel and the fluid couplings on the subseajumper are landed on the hubs.

One illustrative example of an installation technique for a subseajumper 10 will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. As showntherein, the subsea jumper 10 comprises a plurality of jumperconnections 12 that are adapted to mate or connect with a hub 13 of asubsea device 15, e.g., a manifold, a subsea pipeline, etc. As shown inFIG. 1, a spreader bar 14 and a plurality of slings 16 are coupled tothe jumper 10. A bridle 18 comprised of a plurality of slings 20 iscoupled to a line 22 from a crane (not shown). The size of theillustrative spreader bar 14 may vary depending upon the size of thesubsea jumper 10 to be installed. Typically, a spreader bar 14 is amassive structure that may have a weight of approximately 20,000-40,000pounds. As indicated in FIG. 1, depending upon the size of the jumper10, the distance 24 between the bottom of the jumper 10 and the spreaderbar 14 may be approximately 15-20 feet. The distance 26 between thespreader bar 14 and the crane line 22 may be on the order ofapproximately 60 feet.

As indicated previously, installation of a subsea jumper 10 using alarge, heavy spreader bar 14 and rigging requires the use of largeoffshore installation vessels and cranes to achieve the required hookheight and lifting capacity. Handling of one or more of these largespreader bars and the associated rigging, particularly in rough weatherwhen vessel motions are significant, can be problematic. As indicated inFIG. 1, the jumper 10 is suspended below the spreader bar 14 by a numberof slings 20. The rigging arrangement depicted in FIG. 1 typicallyrequires a crane with a hook height on the order of approximately 100feet or more which rules out the use of many types of offshore vessels.Additionally, the spreader bar 14 and the rigging must be stowed on thetransportation vessel for delivery of the jumper 10 to the offshoreinstallation vessel that has a lifting crane of sufficient size. Thespreader bar 14 takes up significant space on the transport vessel,limiting the number of jumpers 10 that can be transported at a singletime.

Using such a traditional method, when the jumper 10 is lifted off thetransport vessel, particularly in rough weather, motion of the spreaderbar 14 and its related rigging can be difficult to control. Moreover,even after the spreader bar 14 is positioned subsea, the ends of thespreader bar 14 may be positioned near other subsea equipment, such assubsea trees and manifolds, thereby creating a potential situation wherethe spreader bar 14 hits or damages such subsea equipment. Even afterthe jumper 10 is installed using the traditional method depicted in FIG.1, landing the spreader bar 14 back onto the transport vessel can alsobe problematic due to its size and weight. The time and effort employedto recover the large spreader bar 14 and its associated rigging, andtransporting such equipment back to shore further adds to the costs ofsubsea jumper installation.

The present invention is directed to various devices and methods forsolving, or at least reducing the effects of, some or all of theaforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an exhaustive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is discussed later.

The present invention is directed to a support member for subsea jumperinstallation, and methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment,the present invention is directed to an adjustable support memberemployed in connection with the installation of subsea jumpers, andmethods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the devicecomprises a subsea jumper and at least one adjustable support membercoupled between portions of the subsea jumper, the adjustable supportmember comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein a length ofthe adjustable support member may be adjusted by actuation of the atleast one hydraulic cylinder.

In another illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a subsea jumperand a plurality of adjustable support members coupled to portions of thesubsea jumper, each of the adjustable support members comprising atleast one hydraulic cylinder, wherein a length of each of the adjustablesupport members may be adjusted by actuation of the at least onehydraulic cylinder.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a subseajumper and at least one adjustable support member coupled betweenportions of the subsea jumper, the adjustable support member comprisingat least one hydraulic cylinder and a modular support structurecomprised of a plurality of modular sections that may becoupled/decoupled from one another, wherein a length of the adjustablesupport member may be adjusted by actuation of the at least onehydraulic cylinder.

A method of installing a subsea jumper is also disclosed. In oneillustrative embodiment, the method comprises coupling at least onehydraulically adjustable support member between portions of the subseajumper, lowering at least one adjustable support member and the subseajumper into a body of water and operatively coupling the subsea jumperto a plurality of subsea connections.

In another illustrative embodiment, the method comprises coupling aplurality of hydraulically adjustable support members between portionsof the subsea jumper, lowering the plurality of adjustable supportmembers and the subsea jumper into a body of water and operativelycoupling the subsea jumper to a plurality of subsea connections.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, the method comprises assemblinga hydraulically adjustable support member by coupling a plurality ofmodular sections to one another to form at least a portion of a modularsupport structure and operatively coupling at least one hydrauliccylinder to the modular support structure. The method further comprisescoupling the hydraulically adjustable support member between portions ofthe subsea jumper, lowering the adjustable support member and the subseajumper into a body of water and operatively coupling the subsea jumperto a plurality of subsea connections.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, the present invention isdirected to a subsea jumper having a plurality of upstanding legsextending vertically from a horizontal section of the subsea jumper, anda lifting support member operatively coupled to said upstanding legs ofthe subsea jumper;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative prior art subsea jumper installationapparatus and technique;

FIG. 2 depicts one illustrative embodiment of an adjustable supportmember for subsea jumper installation in accordance with one aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts another illustrative embodiment of an adjustable supportmember for a subsea jumper in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 depicts yet another illustrative embodiment of an adjustablesupport member for a subsea jumper in accordance with yet another aspectof the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts one illustrative embodiment of how an adjustable supportmember of the present invention may be coupled to a subsea jumper;

FIG. 6 depicts another illustrative embodiment of how an adjustablesupport member of the present invention may be coupled to a subseajumper;

FIG. 7 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a support memberemployed in subsea jumper installation; and

FIG. 8 depicts yet another illustrative embodiment of a support memberemployed in subsea jumper installation.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the description herein of specificembodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In theinterest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation aredescribed in this specification. It will of course be appreciated thatin the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The present invention will now be described with reference to theattached figures. The words and phrases used herein should be understoodand interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding ofthose words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No specialdefinition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is differentfrom the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilledin the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term orphrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have aspecial meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilledartisans, such a special definition will be expressly set forth in thespecification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocallyprovides the special definition for the term or phrase.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 depict illustrative embodiments of an adjustablesupport member 30 that may be employed in connection with theinstallation of a subsea jumper 10 in accordance with the presentinvention. As indicated in FIG. 2, the adjustable support member 30 maybe releasably coupled to the subsea jumper 10 at a plurality ofattachment areas 32, e.g., pad eyes. In the embodiment depicted in FIG.2, the adjustable support member 30 is comprised of a hydraulic cylinder31 that is operatively coupled to a generally cylindrical structuralmember 33. Of course, the structural member 33 may be of any desiredshape or configuration. Moreover, the adjustable support member 30 maybe coupled to the subsea jumper in accordance with any of a variety ofknown techniques. In one illustrative embodiment, the adjustable supportmember 30 is releasably coupled to the subsea jumper 10. In otherembodiments, the adjustable support member 30 may be fixedly coupled tothe subsea jumper 10 and may remain attached to the subsea jumper 10after the installation of the subsea jumper 10 is complete. Pressurizedfluid may be supplied to the cylinder 31 via the schematically depictedfluid connection 31.

A bridle 34 comprised of a plurality of bridle slings 36 is releasablycoupled to the subsea jumper 10 through a plurality of attachmentmechanisms 32, e.g., pad eyes, in accordance with known techniques.These connections may be released by an ROV (remote operated vehicle) orby a diver. The bridle 34 is coupled to a crane line 38 that isoperatively controlled by a crane (not shown) located on a surfacevessel. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, throughuse of the adjustable support member 30, the total height 40 of thebridle rigging 34 and subsea jumper 10 may be on the order ofapproximately 40 feet. This is in contrast to traditional methodsinvolving the use of a spreader bar 14 (as depicted in FIG. 1), wherethe total height from the bridle rigging 18 to the bottom of the subseajumper 10 may be on the order of approximately 75-80 feet.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the adjustable support member 30comprises a hydraulic cylinder 31 and a lattice-type structural member42. In one illustrative embodiment, the structural member 42 may be ofmodular construction in that various sections of the structural member42 may be made of bolted modules coupled to one another by a pluralityof fasteners, e.g., bolts 35, similar to lattice beam sections employedon large lifting cranes. If the structure member 42 comprises suchmodules, the modules may be added or removed to adjust the length of theadjustable support member 30. In this manner, one set of modules may beused to install subsea jumpers 10 that have a wide range of varyinglengths. Currently, spreader bars 14 like that depicted in FIG. 1 aretypically fabricated to match the length of a particular jumper 10 to beinstalled.

FIG. 4 depicts yet another illustrative embodiment of the adjustablesupport member 30 of the present invention wherein a plurality ofhydraulic cylinders 31, 37 are operatively coupled to a structuralmember of the adjustable support member 30. In the depicted embodiment,the first hydraulic cylinder 31 is adapted to increase or decrease thelength of the adjustable support member 30 in the direction indicated bythe arrows 39, whereas the second hydraulic cylinder 37 is adapted toreduce bowing or bending of the subsea jumper 10 by increasing ordecreasing the distance 41 between the jumper 10 and the adjustablesupport member 30.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict illustrative embodiments of how the adjustablesupport member 30 may be releasably coupled to the subsea jumper 10. Asdepicted in FIG. 5, the adjustable support member 30 is releasablycoupled to the subsea jumper 10 by a plurality of pin/socketarrangements. More specifically, the subsea jumper 10 may be providedwith a plurality of socket-type attachment mechanisms 45 having anopening 47 extending therethrough. The adjustable support member 30 mayhave projections 51 formed thereon with openings 53 formed therein. Insome cases, one of the projections 51 may constitute a portion of ahydraulic cylinder rod 55. Through operation of the hydraulic cylinder31, the adjustable support member 30 may be positioned such that theprojections 51 are resident within the socket mechanisms 45 on thejumper 10. Thereafter, ROV (remote operated vehicle) releasable pins 49with a detent type of retainer, which are known in the art, may beemployed to operatively couple the adjustable support member 30 to thesubsea jumper 10 by positioning the pins 49 through the openings 45 and53.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the adjustable support member 30is operatively coupled to the subsea jumper 10 by a plurality oftab-in-saddle type connections. More specifically, the adjustablesupport member 30 is comprised of plate-type attachment clips 61 havingopenings 63 formed therein on each end of the adjustable support member30. In some cases, one of the attachment clips 61 may be coupled to ahydraulic cylinder rod 55. The plate-type clips 61 are adapted to bereceived in saddle joints 65 that are welded to the subsea jumper 10.The saddle joints 65 have an opening 67 defined therethrough. Inoperation, the adjustable support member 30 is releasably secured to thesubsea jumper 10 through use of the illustrative ROV pins 49 once theplate clips 61 are positioned in the saddle joints 65 and the pins 49are positioned through the openings 67, 63.

In operation, the adjustable support member 30 of the present inventionmay be coupled to the subsea jumper 10 prior to positioning the subseajumper/adjustable support member combination on a transport vessel fortransport to the local installation site. Alternatively, the subseajumper 10 and the adjustable support member 30 may be transportedseparately on the transport vessel and assembled at the worksite. In thecase where the adjustable support member 30 is comprised of a moduletype structural members, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, thenecessary modular components may be assembled such that the adjustablesupport member 30 is of the desired length for the particular subseajumper 10 to be installed. Once the adjustable support member 30 iscoupled to the subsea jumper 10, the hydraulic cylinder (or multiplecylinders depending upon the particular application) may be energized(via schematically depicted connection 31A) to effectively establish arigid support beam between the attachment points on the subsea jumper10. Thereafter, the bridle 34 and its associated slings 36 may becoupled to the subsea jumper 10 in accordance with known techniques.

Once the adjustable support member 30 is coupled to the subsea jumper10, and that assembly is rigged for lifting by crane, the combinedassembly may be lowered to the subsea installation site using a crane(not shown). During the lifting and transporting of this combinedassembly to the subsea floor, the adjustable support member 30 providesthe necessary structural support to maintain the subsea jumper 10 in thedesired orientation and to reduce or limit undesired bending of thesubsea jumper 10.

In addition to providing this structural support during the handling andinstallation of the subsea jumper 10, the adjustable support member 30may also be employed to facilitate the coupling of the subsea jumper 10to the various subsea devices 15. That is, if necessary, the length ofthe adjustable support member 30 may be increased or decreased tofacilitate alignment of the jumper connections 12 with the hubs 13 ofthe subsea devices 15. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG.4, the first hydraulic cylinder 31 may be actuated to adjust the lengthof the adjustable support member 30 in the direction indicated by thearrows 39 to thereby increase or decrease the spacing between thecenterlines 12A of the jumper connection 12. Additionally, the secondhydraulic cylinder 37 may be actuated so as to increase or decrease thedimension 41 in an effort to reduce the bending or bowing of the jumperassembly 10. In practice, the various hydraulic cylinders depictedherein may be energized through use of an ROV containing a hydraulicfluid supply. Alternatively, the hydraulic cylinders employed herein maybe operatively coupled to hydraulic lines that extend to a surfacesupply of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic cylinders describedherein may be dual acting hydraulic cylinders that are well known in theindustry.

After the subsea jumper 10 is properly positioned and secured to the hub13 of the subsea device 15, the adjustable support member 30 may beremoved or disengaged from the subsea jumper 10 and returned to thesurface for use in installing additional subsea jumpers 10. As indicatedin the illustrative embodiment depicted herein, this releasableattachment may be accomplished through use of the ROV releasable pins49. Additionally, in the depicted embodiments, the adjustable supportmember 30 is depicted as being positioned between the upstanding legs10A of the subsea jumper 10 (see FIG. 2). In practice, the adjustablesupport member 30 described herein may be operatively coupled to thesubsea jumper 10 at any desired location.

Moreover, a plurality of such adjustable support members 30 may beoperatively coupled to a subsea jumper 10 if desired. For example, FIG.2 depicts the illustrative situation where a plurality of additionaladjustable support members 30A are operatively coupled to the subseajumper 10 between the outer legs 10B of the subsea jumper 10 (connectedto the jumper connection 12) and the upstanding legs 10A of the subseajumper 10. So as not to obscure the present invention, the adjustablesupport members 30A are depicted in phantom in FIG. 2. In thisparticular embodiment, the use of the adjustable support members 30A inlieu of or in addition to the adjustable support member 30 depictedtherein may be desired so as to provide greater flexibility in adjustingthe location of the subsea jumper connections 12 relative to the subseahubs 13 on the subsea devices 15. If employed, the adjustable supportmembers 30A would be of similar construction as that described abovewith respect to the adjustable support member 30.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the context where aprior art spreader bar 14 (see FIG. 1) is not employed in installing thesubsea jumper 10, the present invention may be employed even in thosesituations where a spreader bar 14 is employed. That is, due to theunique characteristics of the present invention enabling the adjustmentof various lengths and positions of the subsea jumper 10, the use ofsuch an adjustable support member 30 may be desirable even in the casewhere the prior art spreader bar 14 is employed as depicted anddescribed in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict another illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention. As depicted therein, the subsea jumper 10 has a generallyU-shaped configuration as defined by the upstanding legs 10A and thehorizontal section 10C. In accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention, a lifting support member 70 is coupled to the upstanding legs10A of the subsea jumper 10 via illustrative pad eyes 32. One purpose ofthe lifting support member 70 is to facilitate installation of thejumper 10 on various subsea connections. For example, through use of thelifting support member 70, various installations forces or reactions,such as bending or bowing of the horizontal section 10C may be reducedor eliminated during the installation process. The illustrative liftingsupport member 70 depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 does not employ a hydrauliccylinder that would allow length-wise extension of the support member inthe direction indicated by the arrow 39. In the depicted embodiment, atleast a protion of the lifting support member 70 is positioned betweenthe upstanding legs 10C of the jumper 10, and a longitudinal axis of thelifting support member 70 is substantially parallel to a longitudinalaxis of the horizontal section 10C. These comments apply equally as wellto the adjustable support member 30 disclosed previously in theapplication. Also note that, in one illustrative embodiment, the uppersurface 75 of the lifting support member 70 is positioned below theupper surface 77 of the upper horizontal legs 10D of the subsea jumper10. Stated another way, the upper surface 75 of the lifting supportmember 70 is positioned below the uppermost extension of the upstandinglegs 10A.

The lifting support member 70 may be of any desired size, shape orconfiguration. Any type of structural members may be employed tomanufacture the lifting support member, e.g., pipe, structural tubing,I-beams, angle iron, etc. In the illustrative embodiment depicted inFIG. 7, the lifting support member 70 is a section of pipe. In theillustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the lifting support member70 is a modular lattice-type structure member comprised of a pluralityof modular sections that may be assembled to any desired length, asdiscussed previously with respect to the illustrative embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIGS. 7 and 8 further schematically depict a plurality of schematicallydepicted vertical support members 71 that may be coupled to the liftingsupport member 70 and the horizontal section 10C of the jumper 10 toreduce or prevent sagging. The vertical support member 71 may be anytype of device or structure capable of providing the desired support ofthe horizontal sections 10C. For example, the support 71 may be a chainor sling, a rigid support member, e.g., angle iron or pipe, or may be anadjustable hydraulic cylinder like the illustrative hydraulic cylinder37 depicted in FIG. 4. Of course, the manner in which the verticalsupport member 71 is operatively coupled to the lifting support member70 may vary depending upon the particular application. For example, ifthe vertical support members 71 are lifting slings, the slings maysimply be positioned around portions of one or both of the liftingsupport member 70 and/or the horizontal section 10C of the jumper 10. Ofcourse, the illustrative support members 71 may also be employed withthe various embodiments of the adjustable support member 30 depicted inthe earlier drawings.

The lifting support member 70 will typically be coupled to the subseajumper 10 on a surface vessel. The subsea jumper 10 has a generallyU-shaped configuration defined by the upstanding legs 10A. The supportmembers 30, 70 disclosed herein may be positioned at least partiallywithin the U-shaped section. In the illustrative embodiment depicted inFIGS. 2 and 7, the entirety of the support members 30, 70 are positionedwithin this U-shaped section. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3, 4and 8, at least a portion of the support members 30, 70 is positionedwithin this U-shaped region. Since the lifting support member 70 ispositioned at least partially within the U-shaped section of the subseajumper 10, the total hook height required for the combination of thelifting support member 70 and the subsea jumper 10 is less as comparedto prior art lifting systems like the one depicted in FIG. 1. Thisreduction in hook height allows the use of smaller, less expensivecranes for performing the subsea jumper installation. The commentsregarding reduction in hook height apply equally as well to the variousembodiments of the adjustable support member 30 disclosed herein.Additionally, the lifting support member 70 as well as the verticalsupport member 71 may be releasably coupled to the various componentsdepicted herein as described previously with respect to the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. For example, the process steps set forth above may beperformed in a different order. Furthermore, no limitations are intendedto the details of construction or design herein shown, other than asdescribed in the claims below. It is therefore evident that theparticular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified andall such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of theinvention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth inthe claims below.

1. A device, comprising: a subsea jumper; and at least one adjustablesupport member coupled between portions of said subsea jumper, saidadjustable support member comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder,wherein a length of said adjustable support member may be adjusted byactuation of said at least one hydraulic cylinder.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one adjustable support member isreleasably coupled to said subsea jumper.
 3. The device of claim 2,wherein said at least one adjustable support member is releasablycoupled to said subsea jumper by a plurality of releasable, pinnedconnections.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least oneadjustable support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper bya plurality of ROV actuatable pins.
 5. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one adjustable support member comprises a supportstructure that is coupled to said at least one hydraulic cylinder. 6.The device of claim 5, wherein said support structure comprises alattice-framework.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said supportstructure comprises a plurality of modular sections that are releasablycoupled to one another.
 8. The device of claim 5, wherein said supportstructure comprises a tubular member.
 9. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupledbetween two upstanding legs of said subsea jumper.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one adjustable support member isreleasably coupled between an outer leg of said subsea jumper andanother portion of said subsea jumper.
 11. The device of claim 1,wherein a plurality of said adjustable support members are releasablycoupled to said subsea jumper.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein saidlength of said adjustable support member may be adjusted to increase ordecrease a dimension between centerlines of a plurality of jumperconnections provided on said subsea jumper.
 13. The device of claim 1,wherein said length of said adjustable support member may be adjusted toreduce bending of said subsea jumper.
 14. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupled tosaid subsea jumper by a plurality of pin and socket connections.
 15. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said at least one adjustable support memberis releasably coupled to said subsea jumper by a plurality ofpin-in-saddle connections.
 16. A device, comprising: a subsea jumper;and a plurality of adjustable support members coupled to portions ofsaid subsea jumper, each of said adjustable support members comprisingat least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein a length of each of saidadjustable support members may be adjusted by actuation of said at leastone hydraulic cylinder.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein at least oneof said plurality of adjustable support members is releasably coupled tosaid subsea jumper.
 18. The device of claim 16, wherein each of saidplurality of adjustable support members comprises a support structurethat is coupled to said at least one hydraulic cylinder.
 19. The deviceof claim 18, wherein said support structure comprises alattice-framework.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein said supportstructure comprises a plurality of modular sections that are releasablycoupled to one another.
 21. The device of claim 18, wherein said supportstructure comprises a tubular member.
 22. The device of claim 16,wherein at least one of said plurality of adjustable support members isreleasably coupled between two upstanding legs of said subsea jumper.23. The device of claim 16, wherein at least one of said plurality ofadjustable support members is releasably coupled between an outer leg ofsaid subsea jumper and another portion of said subsea jumper.
 24. Thedevice of claim 16, wherein said plurality of adjustable support membersare releasably coupled to said subsea jumper.
 25. A device, comprising:a subsea jumper; and at least one adjustable support member coupledbetween portions of said subsea jumper, said adjustable support membercomprising at least one hydraulic cylinder and a modular supportstructure comprised of a plurality of modular sections that may becoupled/decoupled from one another, wherein a length of said adjustablesupport member may be adjusted by actuation of said at least onehydraulic cylinder.
 26. The device of claim 25, wherein said at leastone adjustable support member is releasably coupled to said subseajumper.
 27. The device of claim 25, wherein said modular sections arecoupled to one another by a plurality of fasteners.
 28. The device ofclaim 25, wherein said modular sections comprises a lattice-framework.29. A device, comprising: a subsea jumper having a plurality ofupstanding legs extending vertically from a horizontal section of saidsubsea jumper; and a lifting support member operatively coupled to saidupstanding legs of said subsea jumper;
 30. The device of claim 29,further comprising at least one vertical support member that is coupledto said lifting support member and said horizontal section of saidsubsea jumper.
 31. The device of claim 29, wherein said vertical supportmember comprises a hydraulic cylinder operatively coupled to saidlifting support member and said horizontal section of said subseajumper.
 32. The device of claim 29, wherein said vertical support membercomprises at least one of a rigid support and a lifting sling.
 33. Thedevice of claim 29, wherein at least a portion of said lifting supportmember is positioned within a substantially U-shaped area defined bysaid upstanding legs and said horizontal section of said subsea jumper.34. The device of claim 29, wherein the entirety of said support memberis positioned within a substantially U-shaped area defined by saidupstanding legs and said horizontal section of said subsea jumper. 35.The device of claim 29, wherein said lifting support member isreleasably coupled to said subsea jumper.
 36. The device of claim 29,wherein said lifting support member is releasably coupled to said subseajumper by a plurality of releasable, pinned connections.
 37. The deviceof claim 29, wherein said at least one vertical support member isreleasably coupled to said subsea jumper by a plurality of ROVactuatable pins.
 38. The device of claim 29, wherein said liftingsupport structure comprises a lattice-framework.
 39. The device of claim29, wherein said lifting support structure comprises a plurality ofmodular sections that are releasably coupled to one another.
 40. Thedevice of claim 29, wherein said lifting support structure comprises atubular member.
 41. The device of claim 29, wherein a longitudinal axisof said lifting support member is substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the said horizontal section.
 42. The device ofclaim 41, wherein at least a portion of said lifting support member ispositioned between said upstanding legs of said subsea jumper.